Originally Posted by deelmakur

I didn't get asked to the Wednesday session, but I did make it over to the exhibit this morning (9/14). It seems they have figured out they have two airlines, and the transcon stuff needs different furniture. They are also aware that most people won't pay full first class fare, so it seemed like they were searching for a combination of a better seat, sold at a price point both they and the customer can live with. There were three potential configurations. The standard 2 and 2 first class seats, a 2 and 3 arrangement (meaning one passenger would get a middle), but the seats are wider, thanks to the removal of one. Lastly, there was a 3 and 3, where the middle seat back folds down, and they leave it open, only using the window and aisle (this is pretty much what European carriers do at home).

We got a questionnaire, one side of which asked about how much you travel, and with whom, and if you have elite status elsewhere. You did that one first, then completed the back side after being shown the various seat arrangements. I sensed they are trying more to validate a reduced cabin configuration, than to get any suggestions on what to do. If they can sell the customer on a diminished service (either the 3 and 2, or the 3 and 3 with the middle empty), that's what they would like to do. It gives up less room, and makes most of the planes interchangeable between regional and long haul routes. They seemed especially interested in the relationship of what you were willing to live with in the way of diminished premium seating, against increased percentages of successful upgrading.

Alaska gets high marks for asking its customers what they think, but my natural suspicion tells me this is more about a choice of miseries. They are looking to downgrade the first class product. My continuing comment was that they could do anything they like, but that absent retention of the classic 2 and 2 F class seating, they would not be competitive in the transcon market. It would be a shame if they adopt these seating changes. It appears to me that, especially in the transcon markets, with a little promotion at the other end, they could fairly easily become the dominant carrier.